Although a certain group was involved in a planned multi-faceted propaganda during the long period of fascism and the interim government of the past one and a half years, numerous conscious citizens spontaneously took a strong stand on social media and built strong resistance against these lies and purposeful propaganda. For this, I sincerely thank the people who love democracy. We expect that this positive continuity will continue in the coming days. At the same time, the relevant people in the government will also play an effective role against propaganda by presenting information-based statements from their respective positions. We thought that the opposition party would cooperate as a whole for all the positive steps that the government has taken under the leadership and guidance of the Honorable Prime Minister in this short period of time. But we saw that instead of doing that, they have chosen alternative paths including creating ruckus in Parliament, threatening to protest on the streets, and spreading rumors and propaganda, which are obstacles to the country’s progress.
1. As per the election promise of the Honorable Prime Minister, the pilot project of gradually distributing family cards to every family in the country with the aim of empowering women has been completed. Family cards have already been provided to 37,567 families. A monthly cash assistance of 2,500 taka is being provided to each card, which is an international role model for the economic, family and social empowerment of women.
2. Another election promise of the Honorable Prime Minister is to introduce the “Krishak Card” with 10 benefits and cash financing for the country’s farmers. This program has already been started by initially providing “Krishak Cards” to more than 22,000 marginal, small and medium farmers in 10 districts. Those involved in fisheries, livestock and farmers are also getting this benefit.
3. Loans of up to 12 lakh small and marginal farmers up to 10,000 taka have been waived off along with interest.
4. In order to maintain the constitutional obligations and the continuity of the country’s legal framework, the government has set a unique example of parliamentary democracy by disposing of 133 ordinances in the first session of the 13th National Parliament in a very short period of time. Of these ordinances, 16 ordinances, including the Human Rights Commission and the Prevention and Remedies of Disappearance Ordinance, will be further scrutinized and reintroduced in the parliament in the form of bills. As the party that has suffered the most from disappearances, murders, and human rights violations, BNP is committed to implementing these. The bill mentions the need for further consultation and scrutiny with the relevant stakeholders in these cases. This initiative of the government is a reflection of its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability. The Honorable Prime Minister is determined to implement the July Charter as agreed upon by BNP along with the ‘Note of Dissent’ in the July Charter. The BNP has made a promise to the people of the country and in light of which the people voted for the paddy ears, everyone from the highest levels of the government is responsible for fulfilling it to the letter.
5. Initiatives have been taken to dredge and re-drain 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals and water bodies across the country. This work has already been started in 54 districts.
6. Even amidst the global energy crisis, the government has maintained maximum control over fuel oil prices without increasing them. While fuel oil prices have been increased worldwide, in contrast, increasing subsidies in the public interest, initiatives to purchase from alternative sources, prioritizing oil resources in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and giving special importance to international negotiations – as a result of these multifaceted measures, overall, oil prices in Bangladesh are considerably lower than in any other country.
7. A total of 35 megawatts of electricity have been added to the national grid through the National Rooftop Solar Program and Net Metering. The government has set a target of generating 10,000 (ten thousand) megawatts of electricity by 2030 using renewable energy, especially solar energy.
8. The pilot project of fuel card for fuel consumption has already been launched.
9. One of the government’s priorities is to control commodity prices. Amidst the adverse global and domestic economic conditions, it has been possible to control commodity prices during the holy month of Ramadan and even now compared to other years. At the same time, despite the liquidity crisis, the import of food products and daily necessities has continued. As a result, there has been no crisis in the domestic market and inflation has been kept under control.
10. Imams-Muazzins of 4,908 mosques, priests of 990 temples, principals of 144 Buddhist monasteries and pastors and pastors of 396 churches are receiving monthly honorariums, this program will be implemented in all mosques and religious places in phases. A special assistant to the Honorable Prime Minister for Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and ethnic group affairs has been appointed which is an important step towards establishing the rights of all, regardless of religion or caste.
11. Relief and gifts have been distributed to the helpless and poor across the country during Eid-ul-Fitr. Initiatives have been taken to alleviate poverty by modernizing the Zakat system on the basis of discussions with institutional Islamic scholars and stakeholders.
12. Initiatives have been taken to introduce “Probashi Card” for expatriates.
13. Compared to the past, the cost of Hajj has been reduced by 12,000 taka per ticket this year itself. For the first time, “Nusuk Hajj Card” has been issued on the country’s soil.
14. There are 4,68,220 vacant posts in all ministries and government offices of the country. 6-month, 1-year and 5-year action plans have been formulated to fill the vacant posts.
15. Initiatives have been taken to increase employment by gradually reopening closed government-owned factories and industrial establishments, among which sugar mills, silk and jute industries are gaining prominence.
16. A list of underutilized economic zones, EPZs, BSCIC areas, hi-tech parks and industry clusters has been prepared and an ecosystem has been created with potential businesses and local universities.
17. The government has already taken a set of special steps to make the country’s economic development more robust, stable and inclusive. The government’s main goal is to transform it into a trillion dollar economy by 2034. To achieve this goal, sector-wise short, medium and long-term action plans are being formulated.
18. Initiatives have been taken to formulate a five-year strategic framework to take the economy on the path of stability, restructuring and investment-led growth. The real GDP growth rate has been increased to 8 percent by 2030, inflation has been reduced, foreign direct investment has been increased, and massive employment has been created through the introduction of employment exchanges.
19. To facilitate foreign investment, it has been decided to waive the obligation of prior approval of the Central Bank for the repatriation of investments up to 100 crore taka.
20. For the first time in almost 18 years, no worker had to cry on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Based on coordinated discussions with workers, employers, government and stakeholders and by providing banking support as needed, it has been ensured that the salaries, bonuses and other benefits of workers in all industries have been paid before Eid.
21. The Malaysian labor market is reopening after a long time. The unprecedented joint statement of the two countries has highlighted the reduction in immigration costs, transparent processes and public welfare of expatriates.
22. The government has taken the initiative to sign bilateral agreements with 7 European countries to find alternative labor markets. The countries are – Serbia, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, Portugal, Brazil, Russia.
23. As part of increasing employment in the country and abroad, the government has taken the initiative to export a large number of manpower abroad. Initiatives have been taken to increase both the quantity and quality of immigration by giving importance to the export of skilled and semi-skilled manpower. For this purpose, emphasis has been placed on multilingualism and skill development curricula in technical training centers and technical education across the country.
24. Initiatives have been taken to develop North Bengal as a ‘hub’ or main center of the agro-processing industry.
25. Initiatives have been taken to start PayPal and other payment gateway activities in Bangladesh.
26. It has been announced to recruit one lakh new health workers to ensure primary healthcare in the country. In this recruitment, 80 percent of the total staff will be recruited from women, giving priority to women empowerment and its main objective is women empowerment.
27. It has been decided to launch ‘e-health cards’ to provide proper and quality healthcare. Initiatives are being taken to deploy special security guards in hospitals across the country.
28. It has been decided to cancel the admission fee every year, that is, it has been decided not to charge a new admission fee after passing the next class. Instead of lottery, it has been decided to admit students through modern admission tests or scientific processes, and to increase the facilities and benefits of teachers. The amount of scholarship money at all levels has been doubled.
29. A decision has been made to provide a maximum of 10 lakh taka unsecured bank guarantee for state financial assistance for higher education abroad.
30. A decision has been taken to appoint 9,000 religious teachers and teachers of various levels in vacant posts in educational institutions.
31. Initiatives have been taken to open the grounds of educational institutions for children and adolescents; a total of 18 sports teachers have been recruited at the upazila level, 3 in 6 sports each. Open playgrounds are being provided at the metropolitan level. Sports are being made mandatory for students from the fourth grade from the next academic year.
32. The competition to explore the talents of children and adolescents has started again. New buds are being combined for the first time with sports and Quran recitation. 150 seats have been allocated for students in the gallery of the National Assembly and a joint initiative has been taken with the private sector to encourage book reading nationwide.
33. Activities are underway to distribute free school uniforms, shoes and jute bags among 2 lakh children of government primary schools. In addition, pilot activities have been started in various schools to implement the ‘One Teacher, One Tab’ plan in phases. Initiatives have been taken to enrich the curriculum by adding Learning with Happiness, technical education, sports and culture at the primary and secondary levels.
34. Initiatives have been taken to establish smart classrooms, train teachers and include technical courses to modernize madrasa education.
35. Sports card and sports allowance programs have been launched, through which allowances are already being given to more than a hundred athletes.
36. With the aim of planting 25 crore trees and creating green jobs in 5 years, 15 crore saplings of various species have already been produced for afforestation. The saplings produced will be planted in the upcoming monsoon season this year. In addition, modern netting systems and walking paths will be built along the canals in the city.
37. Instead of using the state building Jamuna, the Honorable Prime Minister is using his own house in Gulshan, using his own car, using oil at his own expense, which is a groundbreaking step in reducing state expenditure.
38. The Honorable Prime Minister is also working on Saturdays, making it mandatory for officials to be present by 9 am, bringing unprecedented changes in the traffic system with the Prime Minister’s very simple movement without taking the VVIP protocol, and airport formalities have been limited during his state visit. Where only a senior minister, Chief Whip, Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister can be present.
39. To stop the interference of brokers, e-registration and online application of service recipients has been made mandatory. To stop the possibility of cash transactions, the online land development tax system has been introduced. To stop map or design fraud, the government is now piloting digital surveys. A 24/7 hotline has been launched.
40. The ‘Padma Barrage Project’ has been undertaken to protect the vast agricultural area of the Padma basin from desertification and to ensure adequate water during the dry season.
41. A historic decision has been taken not to accept duty-free cars and government plots for MPs and ministers, which is reducing state expenditure.
42. Various government offices and private industries have been instructed to use jute products, giving priority to jute products.
43. Weekly national cleanliness drives, activities in coordination with local administration and community are ongoing to prevent dengue.
44. After a long closure, the measles vaccination program has been launched, with the aim of providing it across the country as soon as possible.
45. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies are taking swift action against extortion, and maintaining law and order is being given top priority. Initiatives have been taken to form a people-friendly police force.
46. Initiatives have been taken to launch eco-friendly electric buses and a safe specialized pink bus service for women in Dhaka.
47. A draft amendment to the National River Protection Commission Act has been finalized, as a result of which river encroachment and pollution will be considered a criminal offense; under this law, strict punishments such as a maximum of five years in prison or a fine of Tk 15 lakh, or both, are being proposed for river encroachers.
48. State iftars were limited to prevent wastage of electricity and money. To deal with the global crisis, 11 instructions have been issued at the national level for all types of government institutions to save electricity and energy. Everyone has been advised to use less lights, remove the curtains of offices or houses during the day and use sunlight. There are also instructions to run half the fans and ACs in government offices.
49. For the first time, NTRC is going to conduct merit-based recruitment for the appointment of school headmasters, college principals, and vice-principals through examinations.
50. The government is moving ahead with plans to set up a second unit to increase the capacity of the country’s only government-owned oil refinery, Eastern Refinery PLC, and strengthen energy security. The trial operation of the second unit will be launched in 2029. International tenders will be invited next month.
51. Initiatives have been taken to rehabilitate sidewalk traders and operate businesses in different locations.
52. BNP historically believes in freedom of speech. The government’s goal is to build a liberal and democratic society, where no opinion, belief or identity will be devalued. There has been no deviation from this in the last two months to ensure an environment of free and safe expression of opinion, independent media and unhindered thinking. Many are spreading false propaganda and behaving indecently about the government, even the Honorable Prime Minister, which is unprecedented. In this time of maximum freedom of speech, everyone is expressing their opinions freely and safely, and even an identified group is misusing it for petty political interests. Yet, the complete freedom of pluralism and voice remains intact.
53. Initiatives have been taken to quickly launch the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after multilateral discussions and working strategies have been finalized.
54. Free internet system like developed countries has been ordered at Shahjalal, Shah Amanat and MAG Osmani airports in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet and inaugurated at Syedpur Airport.
55. Initiatives have been taken to provide free internet service for the convenience of passengers of moving trains. Free Wi-Fi will be introduced in 2336 technical and 8232 madrasa educational institutions of the country within the next 180 days to modernize technical and madrasa educational institutions.
56. The government is giving priority to economic diplomacy, where the welfare of the expatriates, promotion of trade, attraction of investment, and creation of opportunities for the export of foreign manpower are among the top priorities for embassies and missions.
57. Relations with all countries of the world are being strengthened and normalized through mutual respect and cooperation. The doors of bilateral possibilities including people-to-people relations, water distribution, stopping border killings, trade, investment facilities, education, culture are being opened.
58. Asset identification and mutual legal assistance are being strengthened with 10 countries initially to bring back money laundered abroad.
59. Implementation of long-term plans to prevent river erosion in coastal areas and combat climate change has been announced.
60. Government has taken concrete initiatives for Human rights protection mechanism.
